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Notes from the church lady: Don’t wait for special day to appreciate the good stuff

May 7, 2013

"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?…" James 4:14 NLT

May is a milestone month for many people, however every month could fall in that category.

This month, I watch young ladies graduate whom I watched grow. I tried to tell them to enjoy this time in their lives because a person is young for such a short time.

I am looking forward to Mother's Day next Sunday, but in many ways it is like every other day. Many years ago I decided to show my mother how special she was and to show how every day is a special day because God gave her to me. During the years we were apart I would give her a quick call every morning to let her know I was thinking of her. Now that we live next door to each other, I go over every morning and have a cup of coffee with her.

This morning we sat on the front porch and watched the hummingbirds flutter around the feeder. Why is a day honoring mothers any more special? Yes, I realize how blessed I am to have her nearby. Yes, I realize so many no longer have their mother here on this earth and that is why each day is a special gift for both of us.

Mark and I have an anniversary next week celebrating 37 years. While we usually do something on our anniversary, the time we spend talking and sharing at the end of the day is actually more special.

It's not the day we were married that needs celebrating. It is the fact God gave us each other every day, not just one day on the calendar. It is special day when Mark drops what he is doing and comes and gets me to go have coffee together.

Time spent with friends is a gift as well and there is nothing more enjoyable than seeing someone at the store and take time to visit a few minutes. It is picking up the phone and calling someone or dropping by the house for a visit. Too often we tell friends we should get together and have dinner or go someplace. We have good intentions, but do we actually do it?

Speaking of friends, there is nothing more special than receiving a card from someone saying they are thinking of us. There is no reason to wait until a birthday to send a card.

Why do we wait for a special occasion to celebrate when each and every day, every moment is a precious gift of God. Proverbs 17:8 says, "A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it…"

When you consider all the special people in your life, it is like having a diamond mine, only much more valuable.

In Fred Rogers book, "The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember" he states it so well:

"In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings are what eternity is made of — moments when we human beings can say 'I love you,' 'I'm proud of you,' 'I forgive you,' 'I'm grateful for you.' That's what eternity is made of: Invisible imperishable good stuff."

Everyday life is full of the "good stuff." Don't wait for that special day to come along. Instead focus on everyday life that is full of special gifts that count.

Debra Whittington is a longtime resident of Tucumcari. Contact her at: